Together, Iraqi and Coalition Forces have faced determined, adaptable, and barbaric enemies. You and our Iraqi partners have taken the fight to them, and you have taken away their sanctuaries and safe havens. You have helped secure the Iraqi people and have enabled, and capitalized on, their rejection of extremism. You have also supported the Iraqi Security Forces as they have grown in number and capability and as they have increasingly shouldered more of the responsibility for security in their country.
You have not just secured the Iraqi people, you have served them, as well. By helping establish local governance, supporting reconstruction efforts, assisting with revitalization of local businesses, fostering local reconciliation, and conducting a host of other non-kinetic activities, you have contributed significantly to the communities in which you have operated. Indeed, you have been builders and diplomats as well as guardians and warriors.
The progress achieved has been hard-earned. There have been many tough days along the way, and we have suffered tragic losses. Indeed, nothing in Iraq has been anything but hard. But you have been more than equal to every task.
Back in the 1970s I was sure that no more heros and honorable people would come from our military – perhaps ever. I am so very, very glad that I was wrong. I have learned of quite a few, in fact, that quite ably define honor and courage; who disdain finacial reward in order to do their duty. God bless them all!
General David Petreaus is focused, well spoken, dedicated, brave, and doesn’t seem to let the blantant insults of he and his men by slimey polititians get to him. I have great admiration for him because if I had sat through the grilling and gaul that the senators gave him, either I or they would have been dead.
Is there any possible way to get a General Petreaus to run for President? It would definitely be a huge step up from our current choices.
Don
[blockquote]Together, Iraqi and Coalition Forces have faced determined, adaptable, and barbaric enemies. You and our Iraqi partners have taken the fight to them, and you have taken away their sanctuaries and safe havens. You have helped secure the Iraqi people and have enabled, and capitalized on, their rejection of extremism. [/blockquote]
We will see, but right now it is a pretty good assessment. I especially like the [i]turning back the barbarians[/i] theme.
I second Don Ganders nomination. Petreaus for President!
Suggest reading the WSJ op-ed page in Monday’s edition on the lonely path Bush took in getting to the place we are currently in Iraq.